Rough roads, 4x4 truck?

Solution to the high bed rail problem is a flat bed with under bed tool boxes. You will never want a pickup bed again.

sue.t wrote:

KATOOM wrote:
I enjoy getting away from the masses myself.....but I have to say that you're braver than I. Dragging a camp trailer through hub high mud means if you get stuck then ya better plan on being there awhile. Especially if you're far from services.

We figured the big yellow machine would have to pull us out if they wanted to continue working. As it was, the truck did a good job keeping the fifth wheel moving. The picture I showed wasn't the worst of it ... I was too busy hanging on through that section.

That's where 4LO is useful and would even be more so with a hand or manual throttle. Set a nice, steady SLOW pace and just keep on truckin'!

Lyle

KATOOM wrote:
I enjoy getting away from the masses myself.....but I have to say that you're braver than I. Dragging a camp trailer through hub high mud means if you get stuck then ya better plan on being there awhile. Especially if you're far from services.

We figured the big yellow machine would have to pull us out if they wanted to continue working. As it was, the truck did a good job keeping the fifth wheel moving. The picture I showed wasn't the worst of it ... I was too busy hanging on through that section.

laknox wrote:

diver110 wrote:
I was reading Gallant's book on RV's, which should be mandatory reading for RVer wannabies like me. I did not follow part of the FW discussion, however. Are FW better than TT's on rough roads? He also seemed to suggest a 4x4 truck was more problematic than a 4x2 for FW's, but I could not quite follow why. Can someone set me straight?

First off, I'm replying without reading the other replies, so... For =me=, I'll never have a 4x2 truck again. I use 4x4 almost any time I go off pavement, simply because it helps keep rear-end hop down. I used it 2 weekends ago when we went on our annual family boondocker and drove about 2 miles on a dirt road. Just plain rides better in 4wd; brakes better, too. Even though you're not supposed to use 4wd on pavement, even wet, on the '02 Durmax, I will do it for brief periods, and wouldn't have it any other way. Cons: you lose turning radius, bed's a bit higher, less mileage, less payload.

Lyle

Not for the same reasons, but also a 4X4 owner/drive 5er puller. Will never go back to a 4X2 as long as i own a PU for a TV. We four season camp in the NW and you never know what tomorrow, or four days from today will bring when you wish to go, or come back home!
Our 01 Ram 2500 camper Special rides like a brick empty, a little smoother loaded, but has no issues with keeping us going in the winter.

I enjoy getting away from the masses myself.....but I have to say that you're braver than I. Dragging a camp trailer through hub high mud means if you get stuck then ya better plan on being there awhile. Especially if you're far from services. I got a trailer stuck once and the towing company wouldn't touch the truck while it was connected, which led to some creative thinking to get the entire package free from the muck. Long story, and I'm now leery of soft ground as you pictured. Looks like an awesome place to camp though. :B

sue.t wrote:
We're often in the backcountry traversing goat trails.

Have been grateful for the 4-wheel drive too. Once had to pull the fifth wheel through mud-to-the-hubs. We weren't lost here either - this is a highway in Yukon. The flagperson told us to take it slow and stay out of the way of the big yellow machines; no pilot car on this one.

diver110 wrote:
I was reading Gallant's book on RV's, which should be mandatory reading for RVer wannabies like me. I did not follow part of the FW discussion, however. Are FW better than TT's on rough roads? He also seemed to suggest a 4x4 truck was more problematic than a 4x2 for FW's, but I could not quite follow why. Can someone set me straight?

First off, I'm replying without reading the other replies, so... For =me=, I'll never have a 4x2 truck again. I use 4x4 almost any time I go off pavement, simply because it helps keep rear-end hop down. I used it 2 weekends ago when we went on our annual family boondocker and drove about 2 miles on a dirt road. Just plain rides better in 4wd; brakes better, too. Even though you're not supposed to use 4wd on pavement, even wet, on the '02 Durmax, I will do it for brief periods, and wouldn't have it any other way. Cons: you lose turning radius, bed's a bit higher, less mileage, less payload.

Lyle

We belong to a beautiful but hilly campground. I use 4 low to pull rig out of there. I've towed two 2WD rigs out when they lose their momentum and their rear wheels just spin in the gravel. Also had to use 4w to get out of Dillion Beach in wet, deep grass. As another poster mentioned 4 HI works wonders on washboard roads. I love my 4WD!
As far as chucking, I've made different adjustments to the last 4 5ers we've had to remove it. Can be any number of things, you just keep adjusting.

No trouble with my 4wd system in 180,000 miles.

Depends on the road. My 3500 DRW 4x4 rides very smooth on smooth roads. I dread concrete roads as the joints cause my rig to chuck terribly but I have a standard hitch and pin box.

AUWing wrote:
The claimed problem with 4x over 2x it the added weight of 4x eating into the trucks payload capacity.

That's true but it's only a few hundred pounds difference. If you get that close to the weight limit on a SRW you need a DRW anyway.

BK